Mayor says he’ll seek re-election

Published: Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at 11:18 PM.

Wall, 56, is a lifelong Burlington resident currently in his sixth year as mayor. He ran for mayor after serving as a city councilman from 2005-2007.

Wall retired in 2011 as an assistant superintendent with the Alamance-Burlington School System. He is currently president of the Alamance County United Way.

In announcing his re-election plans, Wall pointed to what he said are notable achievements in the city during his tenure, and said there are additional measures he’d like to see given priority in the years ahead.

Wall said economic development has been a cornerstone of his agenda, and he’s spearheaded two economic development summits – in 2011 and 2012. The summits brought together local elected leaders, as well as government leaders from surrounding Alamance County municipalities, with members of the community and business leaders to discuss economic development strategies.

“It is paramount to keep the issues of job creation and economic stimulation in the forefront of our minds and our conversations,” Wall said in a news release. “Our citizens are in desperate need of sustainable employment opportunities and we, as leaders, are obligated to do everything in our power to foster the creation of jobs worthy of our workforce.”

Wall referred to a new Sheetz distribution center on White’s Kennel Road as the type of project Burlington needs. A groundbreaking there is planned this summer.

Wall, 56, is a lifelong Burlington resident currently in his sixth year as mayor. He ran for mayor after serving as a city councilman from 2005-2007.

Wall retired in 2011 as an assistant superintendent with the Alamance-Burlington School System. He is currently president of the Alamance County United Way.

In announcing his re-election plans, Wall pointed to what he said are notable achievements in the city during his tenure, and said there are additional measures he’d like to see given priority in the years ahead.

Wall said economic development has been a cornerstone of his agenda, and he’s spearheaded two economic development summits – in 2011 and 2012. The summits brought together local elected leaders, as well as government leaders from surrounding Alamance County municipalities, with members of the community and business leaders to discuss economic development strategies.

“It is paramount to keep the issues of job creation and economic stimulation in the forefront of our minds and our conversations,” Wall said in a news release. “Our citizens are in desperate need of sustainable employment opportunities and we, as leaders, are obligated to do everything in our power to foster the creation of jobs worthy of our workforce.”

Wall referred to a new Sheetz distribution center on White’s Kennel Road as the type of project Burlington needs. A groundbreaking there is planned this summer.

Wall said accessibility and openness are hallmarks of his governing philosophy. He has encouraged more public outreach by city officials and has inaugurated an annual tradition of neighborhood meetings, where residents in different parts of the city have been able to share their concerns and aspirations with their leaders.

Wall has worked to bring renewed attention to east Burlington. He campaigned to clean up eyesores there and in other parts of the city – including a ban on junked cars that city council members adopted in 2011.

“We need to continue the city’s efforts to be responsive to residents’ efforts to maintain properties where all citizens can feel both comfortable and proud of living in that community,” Wall said.

Wall has been active in leading a coordinated response that ultimately succeeded in making needed changes to a state-imposed plan to clean up rivers and streams that feed Jordan Lake. In its original form, the regulations would have imposed even greater burdens and regulations on residents in cities like Burlington that are upstream from the lake.

In addition to serving as mayor, Wall has served on several regional and statewide boards and committees, including the executive committee of the Piedmont Triad Council of Government, the board of trustees for the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation, the executive board of the Metro Mayors Coalition and is second vice president with the N.C. League of Municipalities. He also recently completed a three-year term as a member of the the N.C. Board of Transportation.